Deadly Nipah kills 15 in Kerala

Deadly Nipah kills 15 in Kerala
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Highlights

At least 15 people have died due to Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, health officials said on Monday. \"Some 15 people have succumbed to the deadly virus in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the past 24 hours after being hospitalised for fever. 

New Delhi: At least 15 people have died due to Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, health officials said on Monday. "Some 15 people have succumbed to the deadly virus in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the past 24 hours after being hospitalised for fever.

Three of these deaths took place late on Sunday night," a senior health official said. "Several others affected by the virus are under treatment at government hospitals in these two districts," he added. As of Monday, only two have been confirmed to have been infected by this virus. Samples from the remaining bodies have been sent for testing.

Nipah virus affects the brain. An infected person will have fever, weakness and lethargy. Nipah virus has a tendency to adapt or mutate, like the H1N1 virus. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister J P Nadda has directed a Central team, led by the head of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to visit Kerala to assist the state government in the wake of the deaths.

Health officials said the state government is working on war footing to tackle the outbreak of the deadly virus. "An isolation ward has already been opened in Kozhikode Medical College and Hospital and a special task force has been formed to tackle the situation. The state government has cancelled the leaves of the doctors and the paramedical staff," another health official said.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja who rushed to Kozhikode on Sunday night will be camping in the region till the situation is in under control. Speaking to the media after a high-level meeting with health officials, Shailaja said that the state is ready to meet any emergency situation. "We have discussed the issue with the Central government and they have assured assistance.

Manipal Institute of Virology has also extended its help. An expert team is already here, and they have inspected the region where the disease has been reported. We have noticed that bats are the carriers of the virus. We have asked the people not to consume fruits or vegetables which could be contaminated," the minister said.

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